2 to 3 Weeks Before:

1 Week Before:

Bake or Order the Cake. If you bake your own you will want to freeze it.

Make all other food items that can be made ahead of time. Store in the freezer.

2 Days Before:

Make sure Camera is Charged.

Take out food from the freezer. This will give plenty of time for the food to defrost in the fridge.

1 Day Before:

Decorate if Indoors and Childproof the Area

On the Birthday Day:

Prepare foods that could not be made ahead of time. Decorate outside.

Party Supply Checklist:

Party Tableware

7” Dessert Plate

9” Food Plate

Beverage Napkins

Cutlery

Luncheon Napkins

Cups

Straws

Table Cover

Cake Plate

Chip/Dip Bowls

Food

Birthday Cake

Smashing Cake (for 1st Birthday)

Cupcakes

Ice Cream

Ice

Drinks

Snacks

Sweets

Buffet Foods or Sweets

Meal Items

Appetizers

Candy Fillers - Pinata/Treat Bags

Decorations

Candles

Balloons

Mylar or Foil Balloons

Streamers

Banners

Pennant Bunting

Garland

Wreath

Centerpiece

Confetti

Curling Ribbon

Hanging Decorations

Backdrops

Crepe Paper

Activity/Game Supplies

Game Prizes

Awards

Trophies

Pinata

Blowouts

Noisemakers

Misc Items for Crafts/Activities

Misc Items for Games

Miscellaneous

Yard/Door Sign

Hats/Masks/Tiaras

Charged Batteries

Camera/Video

Film/Video Tape

Party Bags

Party Favors

Balloon Sticks

Name Badges

Cake Knife

Music

Matches/Lighter

Paper Towels

Cooler/Buckets for Icing Drinks

Tiki Torches (to keep bugs away)

Garbage Bags/ Foil/Plastic Wrap

Invitations/Cards

Invitations

Thank You Cards

Guest List

15 Party Tips For An Amazing Kids Birthday Party!

Tip #1 Prepare Your Child For Their Birthday Party Ahead of Time

Teaching children to be polite and considerate is part of a parents daily duties. However, a party is not part of a daily routine and so a child may not know what is expected of them. Prep your child ahead of time for their special day. Discuss with them the importance of good manners and what is acceptable behavior. Role playing is one of the best teaching tools! Act out and rehearse with them, showing them how to greet a guest and how to be a good host. This is their birthday where they are in the limelight and experiencing the joy of spreading sunshine will make it much happier for them.

For a mentally challenged or special needs children which covers a wide spectrum of disabilities or injuries they also can be prepped for their momentous occasion even if they may or may not totally understand what is expected of them. All children look to their peers and adults for social cues, so keep it simple, full of enthusiasm (or take it down a notch, whatever is comfortable for him/her) and don’t be married to your plans. You may not need any advice having learned more in a short span of time than most learn in a lifetime about life but having special needs children in my family may I offer this: Remind yourself to do what feels right to you, make adjustments on the spot when needed, and enjoy the moments in celebration of their birthday (and might I add, in celebration of you as well).

Tip #2 Mark Out Your Location

Tying a bouquet of balloons to a sign, your front door or mailbox will make it easier for other parents who may have never been to your house before. It also makes a festive welcoming appearance.

Tip #3 Have a Back Up Plan

If you plan on a outdoor party, have a backup plan for implement weather.

Tip #4 Protect Your Pet From The Party

If you have pets like a dog or cat, keep them separated and protected from the party area. Many people consider their dog or cat a part of their family and do not want to banish them from a party. This may be tough but do not feel hurt or take it personally when other people are not so smitten with your pet. As much as we love our pets some guests may not voice it but really do not like animals. They may tolerate it but they will not enjoy themselves much. Many people and little children can be uncomfortable around animals, especially if it is a bouncing, big, friendly dog and they are a very small child or elderly adult. As an added side note, even if your pet has never bit someone if an animal feels threatened and one child were bitten it could ruin a birthday party and you could be liable for a lawsuit.

Tip #5 Party Games And Activities

This is an extremely valuable tip from many years of party planning. With games if you have rewards and prizes for the winner give all the children a prize saying, “You did great! You are all winners!”. The parents will be glad you did and the party will be more memorable to every child.

Whether a mentally challenged or a special needs child is the guest of honor or a a guest attending the party, games and activities are best kept simple without too many rules. If a game you thought simple proves to be too challenging mix it up and be very aware of your body language and facial expressions. They love big smiles. Simplicity and living in the moment is the key. Everyone who attends can have a lot of good laughs together if you relax and see the activity as for their benefit and not yours.

Favorite Children’s Party Game and Activities:

Treasure Hunts

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Breaking a Pinata

Musical Chairs

Balloon Relay Race

Blind Man's Bluff

Egg on the Spoon Race

Fishing Pond

Kick the Can

Balloon Stomp

Scavenger Hunt

Favorite Toddler Party Game and Activities:

Ring Around the Rosies

Bean Bag Toss

Leaping Lily Pads (jumping like a frog from one pillow to another without touching the floor)

Blanket Tents

Playing Music (Dancing and singing to music is a toddlers favorite)

Finger Songs like “This Little Piggy” etc.

Finger or Paper Bag Puppets

Story Time

Tip# 6 Party Food Favorites

Food that is familiar and easy to handle like hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza, and sundaes are well liked. Apple juice is among the top parents favorites. If parents drop children off at a party make sure you know in advance if they have any food allergies. To save time, avoid nuts or peanut butter if you do not know as many children are allergic to them.

Tip# 7 Party Favors & Thank You Party Etiquette

It is considered party etiquette to send a “thank you for coming” note after a birthday party. A thank you note does express appreciation. To previous generations a handwritten thank-you note was simply common courtesy. For the twenty some generation it has become a well accepted practice to give party favors with a thank you note attached, or even a simple thank you for coming hug or handshake as they leave. Expressing appreciation to all those who honored your child with their time and effort to attend is good party etiquette. The ultimate party success is when a little guest of honor follows suit in expressing their thanks as well.

Tip #8 To do Gifts or Not to Do Gifts

If you do not want your child to receiving gifts from their party guests you can specify on the invite, “No gifts please.” This saves on friends pocketbooks and too many toys. If someone still wants to bring a gift you can organize the party so it can be given without all the other guests present to eliminate any awkwardness a guest might feel having not brought a gift themselves. Celebrating the life of your child with friends is what a birthday party is all about.

Tip #9 Opening Presents

Some parents have found opening presents after the guests have all gone home to be less stressful and a nice way to end a party. If a presents from guest are given then opening them with them there is more polite. If a child is young preparing them with some role playing in advance on how to politely receive and thank people for gifts would be advisable.

Tip #10 When to Sing “Happy Birthday” and Have Cake & Ice Cream

With children, singing “Happy Birthday” and serving cake and ice cream is usually best when served at the end of the party. This way the mess is more contained and when they get an inevitable sugar high it will be when they are all headed home. If you are serving only cake without a meal make sure to serve it a couple of hours before meal time or after so the guests won’t come or go hungry.

Tip #11 Taking Better Pictures

Here are some tips if you are not a professional photographer and plan on taking the pictures yourself:

Get Good Lighting: If you are outside, outdoor lighting can cause harsh shadows on the face. Make sure the lighting is soft and from behind for nicer skin tones.

Get Different Perspectives: Taking pictures from the same standing position can make for boring repetitive pictures. Get down on their level or lay on the floor. Take some wide angle shots and get a little imaginative.

Capture Life As It Happens: Candid moments mean more than posed shots and at a birthday party a child doesn’t normally enjoy being made to stop and pose. Not everyone has to be looking at the camera. They will enjoy looking back on the memories more if it is shot as it happens.

Tip #12 Prepare An Extra Place Setting

Although you may have an exact guest list, preparing an extra setting or two will eliminate any regrets if someone extra happened to show up. Sometimes the unexpected happens and it is best to be prepared especially if you have RSVP invites.

Tip #13 RSVP Etiquette

An RSVP should be at least a week or two in advance before the party. If you have a party is with an RSVP invitation ask only for the those planning on attending to respond. Printing “Only those who cannot attend need reply” is not considered well mannered or friendly. Do not request a response from someone who is does not plan or able to attend. Always think in favor of an invited guest’s convenience over your own. Also keep in mind a guest who does RSVP may have a last minute emergency and some parents may completely forget to respond and show up after all. Having a great time depends primarily on the attitude of an awesome hostess.

Tip #14 Invite Etiquette

If you are planning a birthday party with other children from your child’s school or daycare never hand out invitations in front of other children unless you plan on inviting the whole class. The safest option is to mail the invitations. Some schools have rules about delivering invites on school premises so be sure to check with a teacher or the school first.

Tip #14 Choose a Theme for Your Party

A theme will make a party easier for decorating and planning. You can be all out creative with something totally new or refer to some more traditional party ideas:

Tip #15 Plan On A Break For Yourself Afterwards

Birthday parties are meant for celebrating life. A time with family and friends to look back over the years and be happy. If the party is earlier and you aren’t eating a meal there plan on an easy ready made meal for yourself and family after the party is over. Don’t just plan a party, plan a break for yourself as well afterwards.